The Detroit Pistons (30-39) look to snap their 12-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Sacramento Kings (23-48) at Golden 1 Center. The game starts at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, March 19, 2018, and will air on NBC Sports – California.
Detroit opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 203 points.
Detroit Pistons at Sacramento Kings ATS Prediction
The Pistons are hoping for a better outcome after their 100-87 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers in their last outing. Portland’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over Detroit. The Trail Blazers had a rate of 20.5 (below their season average of 23.0), while the Pistons posted a mark of 16.7 (below their season average of 22.9). Andre Drummond was Detroit’s high scorer with 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
In the Kings’ last game, they lost to the Utah Jazz, 103-97. Utah made good use of their 38 trips to the free throw line, making 31 of them (81.6 percent). Sacramento, on the other hand, was just 9-14 (64.3 percent). With 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting, Buddy Hield led Sacramento in scoring.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams battle. Sacramento currently ranks 26th in possessions per game (97.4) and Detroit is 21st (98.3).
Detroit holds records of 30-39 straight up (SU) and 30-37-2 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Pistons have a tendency to go under the total (55.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Sacramento is 23-48 SU and 34-34-3 ATS. In opposition of Detroit, a little over half of Kings games have finished over the projected point total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Drummond had 16 points and 19 rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Pistons defeated the Kings 108-99, resulting in a push. The game finished with a total of 207 points, which was 12 points above the projected point total of 195 points. The Pistons had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (21.6 vs. 10.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.190 vs. 0.118).
Detroit Pistons vs. Sacramento Kings Odds Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Kings, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Detroit is 15-18-1 ATS with 20 unders, 13 overs and 1 push.
Sacramento is 16-18 ATS at home with 19 overs and 15 unders.
Sacramento is 14-5 when they allow under 100 points, while Detroit is 16-6.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Kings are 16-20 and the Pistons are 26-17.
Detroit ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (9.3) while Sacramento ranks 21st (12.5).
The Pistons rank 18th in three pointers attempted per game (28.3) while the Kings rank 28th (23.9).
Detroit ranks 19th in rebounds per game (43.2) while Sacramento ranks 27th (40.6).
The Pistons average 22.5 assists per game, which ranks 17th in the NBA. The Kings rank 23rd in assists allowed per game (24.2).
Sacramento averages 8.1 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Detroit ranks 11th in steals allowed per game (7.4).
Neither of these teams are great at blocking the ball. The Kings are 25th in the NBA with 4.1 blocks per game while the Pistons are 27th with 3.7 blocks per game.
Detroit ranks 11th in points off turnovers per game (16.9) while Sacramento ranks 12th in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Detroit is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Pistons’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.4, up from 1.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Kings have scored an average of 104.6 points per game (5.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 110.2 points per game (3.1 above their season average).
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